Community Forums

Fkrel · 06-17-2013, 08:53 PM

WHat is the best way to tow a car trailer with a class A with air ride
With a standard hitch in the reciever or with a equalizer hitch. I use a equalizer with my pick up but not sure how it will act with the motor home with the air ride. I know people like to tow 4 down but my jeep is modified and has to be trailered.

Mr_D · 06-17-2013, 09:01 PM

Shouldn't be a problem, if you don't overload the hitch. Our DSDP only has a 6,000# hitch but Spartan says I can go to a 10,000# one with no problem.

DonDee · 06-18-2013, 07:00 AM

I use an equalizer. Really can't feel the trailer back there, very nice ride.

Sky_Boss · 06-18-2013, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fkrel

WHat is the best way to tow a car trailer with a class A with air ride
With a standard hitch in the reciever or with a equalizer hitch. I use a equalizer with my pick up but not sure how it will act with the motor home with the air ride. I know people like to tow 4 down but my jeep is modified and has to be trailered.

OK...maybe a dumb question from the peanut gallery but...

Would that depend somewhat on the tongue weight being loaded onto the hitch? By that I mean that if the loading of the trailer is reasonably balanced so that there is minimum weight on the hitch, would there be any need to use an equalizer? So, if my theory is correct, need for an equalizer hitch would only be required if there was a lot of weight on the hitch.

Fkrel · 06-18-2013, 02:39 PM

Ok hitched up the trailer with the equalizer hitch and went for a ride could not even tell that the trailer was behind me it pulled so nice, took it to the mill and weighed combined weight 29460lb will have to take the motorhome back to the mill and weigh just axles without the trailer.

Steve Noel · 06-18-2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

OK...maybe a dumb question from the peanut gallery but...

Would that depend somewhat on the tongue weight being loaded onto the hitch? By that I mean that if the loading of the trailer is reasonably balanced so that there is minimum weight on the hitch, would there be any need to use an equalizer? So, if my theory is correct, need for an equalizer hitch would only be required if there was a lot of weight on the hitch.

The equalizer setup, not only helps with carrying tongue weight, but porpoising. Which helps equalize "stress" in hitches and tongues. Especially in "frost heave" country or on I-10!

1ciderdog · 06-18-2013, 03:16 PM

I occasionally tow a 24 foot enclosed car carrier. I use the equalizer hitch because I have it and think it probably helps. I don't think it can hurt but it does take a couple of extra minutes to hook up. I'll keep using it.

Alan_Hepburn · 06-18-2013, 03:54 PM

The receiver installed on the back of my motorhome says right on it that it is not to be used with a weight distributing system. Ours is a gas Workhorse chassis without air ride but you might want to check for similar warning labels on your unit...

DegoRed · 06-19-2013, 07:22 AM

Fkrel, I also tow our Jeep on a hauler as it can't be towed 4 down, its heavily modified. Originally had an Equal-i-zer brand hitch set up, and ran into problems Where the bars attach to the L shaped plate on the trailer, kept shearing off the bolts that hold the L plate onto the trailer. Tried changing bolts to grade 8, still kept happening. Called manufacture, sent them photos, etc. They said everything was hooked up correctly. Finally end up taking it off.

Basically when going from high transition points, its caused too much stress. MH was at one height, trailer at another, then throw in a turn and, pop goes the weezle. Think of pulling into a gas station, a lot are a foot or two higher than road, then trying to make turn into pumps.

After I took of equalizer hitch, did not notice any difference in towing. Ran without equalizer for a couple of trips, so got pretty good feel for both ways.

All that said, am going to try the Curt brand that has the chains on a trip that we are starting today. Thinking the chains will be able to flex at the trasition points where the fixed attachment of the bars to the trailer would not. Will let you know.